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  • 4 Days and counting

    Wow I can not believe that I am now only 4 days from my surgery. I am getting so nervous, but so ready to be on the other side of all that I have been going through the past two years. I am so afraid that there is something that I did not get done before hand. I know my husband and kids will do fine while I am down I am just a worry wart, and it is driving me crazy. I am starting to have trouble sleeping. Any suggestions?
    Age: 40
    Diagnosed @ at of 11
    Muscle Stimulator for 1 year
    Milwaukee Brace from 1982-1987 47* (center curve)
    (was told would never get worse)
    Surgery November 11, 2009
    Fused T6-T12
    Pre Op 25* - 54* - 40*
    Post Op 24* - 33* - 21*

  • #2
    If you are like me, you will spend a lot of time in the days before surgery getting everything ready. About two days before, I experienced a strange kind of calm...as if it was out of my hands. I didn't really sleep the night before...I stayed up late on purpose b/c it seemed silly to try and sleep and then I had to get up so early. By the time I got to the hospital, I was very calm and everything sort of takes on a life of its own...doctors and nurses telling you what to do, etc.
    You'll do great and before you know it, you'll be waking up...YEAH!
    So spoil yourself the next few days...eat out, order in, watch movies with your kids. Good luck...I'll be thinking of you!
    Kathy, 43
    Diagnosed as a teen
    Boston brace 2 years
    63 degree lumbar curve
    Surgery August 26, 2009
    Anterior approach fused T12-L4
    now 28 degrees

    Comment


    • #3
      This part of the home run is the hardest but I couldn't agree more than with Kathy's words. I hope you get that inexplicable calmness that allows you to just relax and allow time to drift by, knowing there's nothing more to be done but put yourself into the hands of others, who will take very good care of you.

      All the very best Loris, for a successful surgery and a smooth, comfortable and well-cared-for recovery.
      Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
      Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
      T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
      Osteotomies and Laminectomies
      Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Loris,
        Try no to worry about a thing. I know its easier said than done. With regards to sleeping, I couldn't sleep either but because I had to stop all natural therapies previous to the op (accupuncture, vitamins etc), I used to make myself a strong cammomile tea - let it brew while I have a shower with Johnson & Johnsons Baby Bedtime Bath gel, then apply Baby Bedtime Baby Oil - get dressed - drink the tea and sleeeeeeeeeep!
        Best wishes for your upcoming surgery and the very best wished of a smooth and speedy recovery.
        Vali
        44 years young! now 45
        Surgery - June 1st, 2009
        Dr David Hall - Adelaide Spine Clinic
        St. Andrews Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia
        Pre-op curve - 58 degree lumbar
        Post -op - 5 degrees
        T11 - S1 Posterior
        L4/5 - L5/S1 Anterior Fusion

        Comment


        • #5
          4 days out, i bet you are a little nervous! I reckon everybody would feel that way, I know I will. Try and relax the best you can

          You should try and stay up for as long as you possibly can and eventually you will just fall asleep.
          45L/40T
          Surgery 25/1/2010
          Australia

          Knowthyself

          Scoliosis Corrected 25/1/2010 by Dr Angus Gray, Prince of Wales Private Hospital, Sydney. Fused T3-L4.

          Comment


          • #6
            Loris,

            You will get through these last few days,....although they are the absolute hardest. My advice is to ask for the 'happy juice' as soon as the anesthesiologist will give it to you. It calmed me down and I couldn't care less that they were wheeling me into surgery.

            I can't wait to hear how you did after everything is all over.

            Good luck,
            __________________________________________
            Debbe - 50 yrs old

            Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
            Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

            Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
            Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
            Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

            Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
            Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

            Comment


            • #7
              Ahhh...yes...the happy juice...I have to laugh. I felt like I was visited by EVERYONE in that little "room." Surgeons, assistants, nurses, anesthesiologists. It was the nurse anesthetist (sp?) who I asked and she had this litttle syringe in her breastpocket. She said "Oh this? Sure!" and that's the last thing I remember!
              Kathy, 43
              Diagnosed as a teen
              Boston brace 2 years
              63 degree lumbar curve
              Surgery August 26, 2009
              Anterior approach fused T12-L4
              now 28 degrees

              Comment


              • #8
                I was in the holding bay and nobody had offered me anything and though I was by that stage, quite calm and accepting, I asked for a pre-op. Nurse brought me a tablet, I took it and I don't remember anything else until waking in Intensive Care about 9 hours later. I would recommend it to everyone.
                Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                Comment


                • #9
                  Ho loris,

                  All my best for god speed in your recovery.

                  Take care, you'll be fine!!! Tell your husband to keep us posted, on your progress.

                  In my prayers and all by best,
                  Shari

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hi Loris

                    I think Jen said it best. The calmness happened to me, accepting the fact that you will no longer have control, letting go, and relying on professional people to handle things. I call it the "zombie" state. It got to the point were I couldn't focus on anything at all.

                    Soon it will be over. The healing stage will begin.

                    I will admit that the "happy juice" Debbe suggested sounds like a great idea. (For myself) LOL

                    Hang in there

                    Ed
                    49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                    Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                    ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                    Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                    Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                    My x-rays
                    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Less then 24 hours

                      Thanks everyone, and you are right I am now getting to that stage of not being quite so nervous (kind of wierd). I have everything packed and ready to go to the hospital at 6:30 tomorrow morning with a 8:30 surgery time. I know I am in the best hands I can be in and I know he will take good care of me. I will post as soon as I am able to let you know how it went.
                      Age: 40
                      Diagnosed @ at of 11
                      Muscle Stimulator for 1 year
                      Milwaukee Brace from 1982-1987 47* (center curve)
                      (was told would never get worse)
                      Surgery November 11, 2009
                      Fused T6-T12
                      Pre Op 25* - 54* - 40*
                      Post Op 24* - 33* - 21*

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I'll be thinking of and praying for you and your family. It can seem a little overwhelming, but we only have today. And take it one day at a time after your surgery. Take it easy and god bless
                        Les, Biker Babe, age 56 (at time of first surgery)
                        Fused T2 to S2, posterior only, 8 Apr 08
                        T3 fracture repair and revision, Mar 09
                        Broke left lower rod and pelvic screws removal, Dec 09
                        Scheduled to remove all hardware, replaced everything instead due to non-fusion, Nov 10
                        Remove top 2" of rods and screws, Feb 14
                        Pre surgery degrees: L40, T45
                        Post surgery degrees: L8, T10

                        Happy, joyous and pain-free!
                        Surgeon: C Timothy Floyd, MD, Boise Orthopedic Clinic

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Loris--
                          Best of luck to you. I know you'll do fine and then you can start the job of recovering. Prayers for a good correction and complications-free recovery! Janet
                          Janet

                          61 years old--57 for surgery

                          Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
                          Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
                          Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
                          Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
                          T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.

                          All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Just remember that we are here to comfort and help you in ant way.
                            When you fell well enough to get on here, we'll be here for you!!!

                            If you have question or concerns, ask! No question is stupid, because most of us have been there. Why worry when we can give you an answer, when you need an answer.

                            Here for you,
                            Shari

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Best wishes for today (aussie timezone). Heres hoping all goes well.
                              Vali
                              44 years young! now 45
                              Surgery - June 1st, 2009
                              Dr David Hall - Adelaide Spine Clinic
                              St. Andrews Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia
                              Pre-op curve - 58 degree lumbar
                              Post -op - 5 degrees
                              T11 - S1 Posterior
                              L4/5 - L5/S1 Anterior Fusion

                              Comment

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